Review: Om Unit takes it to the bridge once again. His label's first V/A collection since its evergreen Cosmology Sessions in 2017, it's another vast plane ripe in sonic depths and textures from some of the most left-minded, boundary-fusing captains in the bass game. Featuring two crucial link-ups from the bossman himself with two kindred spirits Djrum and Synkro plus a whole cosmic cornucopia of voyages from the likes of Danny Scrilla, J:Kenzo, Vromm and stacks more, every track is a highlight in its own beguiling way. No label flares with the same levels of dark vitality, there's more than enough for our brains to chew on right here.
Review: Spanish sound scientist Vromm returns to Critical exactly a year after his Binary EP with four more murky 6am soundtracks. On the fittingly-titled "Level Up" Rider is Vromm's heaven-made match as his smoky sermon wraps around a tubular 23rd century bass design that's so futuristic you'll start looking for your hoverboard. "B Movie" is every bit as grainy and discomforting as its name suggests while "Ashes Of Shame" reveals a more surging, cinematic and emotional side to Vromm's palette - especially when Agama's spine-melting vocals enter the fray mid-way. Looking for a track to soundtrack your future trip to Jupiter? Look no further than "Odisea". Happy travels.
Review: Seriously otherworldly tear-out sounds to be heard on Vromm's gnarly lead cut "Lake Monster" - a track which sounds like swamp creatures gnawing on a fleshy carcass to the breakneck beats of Aphex Twin. "Motor Hell" is a skittery, half-stepping monster itself too, while for something linear "Nomad" delivers a darkly straight up groove. Then enter the doom lord rave of "Zombie". Is it Halloween already?
Review: We've been waiting for this since Doc Scott fired up his old ThirtyOne machine just over a year ago. A 24-track collection of stone cold exclusives, this bucks any expectations of the label and its remit and celebrates the very best creativity in all shades of drum & bass. Littered with the best names in the game (Calibre, Nucleus & Paradox, Bungle, Loxy & Resound, Scar, Marcus Intalex and many many more), each cut pushes the bass and riddim envelope with stark, uncompromised creativity and production muscle. The ultimate document of where the best D&B is at, this is nothing short of essential.
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